07.18.07
Gakken 1/55 Alpha/Legioss Diecast 2x Changer
REVIEW(Updated): Gakken’s diecast collector’s toy
Packaging & Extras: Japan (4/5), Singapore (3/5)
Yes, the Japanese packaging is that much better for this toy than the Singapore packaging in either the Henshin Robo or Robotech varieties. The original Japanese release makes it seem like this piece was made specifically for collecting, not to be used as a toy. The box has no window whatsoever as pictured above. When it is open the toy is hermetically sealed in styrofoam. Once the top styrofoam blanket is removed the toy can be found nestled tightly in its tray as pictured below. The Japanese version also includes a gun that fires bullets, a feature removed from its Singapore brethren. The Henshin Robo and Robotech packages are more of the standard fare, those are the two boxes pictured to the right of the Japanese version above. A large window displays the toy prominently but makes the packaging a bit less stable. A few extras would have been nice in a piece that apparently was meant to be more of a higher grade item.
Charm & Collectibility: Japan (3/5), Singapore (2/5)
This toy doesn’t receive a lot of love in collector’s circles despite the excellent materials used. It was never wildly popular in the first place and its flawed in too many ways to make it stand out. The large Gakken 1/35 toy simply over-shadows all of Gakken’s other Legioss products and this toy is no exception. To determine whether or not your boxless toy was made in Japan, check beneath the intakes as shown (Japanese version is shown on the right):
Sculpt, Detail, & Paint: (7/10)
Quite truthfully, this toy cheats. It achieves a very close look to the animation (a bit on the slim side) but it does so by foregoing one of the most important modes of transformation. Both Armo-Soldier (Battloid) and Armo-Diver (Guardian) modes look superb. The thing that really hinders this toy, like all other Gakken toys, from really reaching the next level is the lack of paint to achieve the look seen in the series. Had this toy been painted properly it would be an amazingly close likeness. Check out how this toy Gakken’s on 1/35 offering and Toynami’s modern 1/55 offering below.
Design: (4/10)
It’s very tough to judge this toy in this respect because I’m not sure how much I can penalize it for only having a two-mode transformation. However, it’s quite clear that the fans reacted very negatively to the lack of a fighter mode. However, everything that it was meant to do it does do well. The transformation is amazingly simple. Still, it’s impossible to shake the idea that in a toy that deleted one of the most important modes there should be more going on to compensate.
Durability & Build: Japan (7/10), Singapore (7.5/10)
You should expect a high durability score from a toy primarily made of metal. You did read that correctly though, the Japanese version actually scores a lower score than the Singapore versions. The reason for this can be isolated to the shoulder array. On the Japanese version this crucial piece is inexplicably made of a very soft rubber. It doesn’t take much time at all for this rubbery fin to begin to wilt and mar the appearance of this otherwise solid figure. The Singapore version corrected this by including a plastic sensor fin. Through the years I have seen several of these up for auction with heads or feet broken off. The head is attached via a pin through two loops so if the loops are bent it wouldn’t be difficult for the head to be removed. I think the head and feet both should only be considered fragile for those who intend to really abuse their toys. The real concern with these toys is floppy shoulder syndrome. Many of these toys can’t point their guns any more without the arm flopping down.
Articulation: (5/10)
Why, in a toy with such limited transformation, should articulation be this horrible?? There is so little that can be done with this toy. The knees bend, the elbows bend, the intakes move independently, but the head can’t be turned, the waist can’t swivel, and the shoulders are no help. In such a simple toy it’s a real shame to see the extra effort wasn’t made to really increase articulation here. Articulation should have been this toy’s real saving grace, not another weakness.
Total Score: Japan (30/50), Singapore (28.5/30)
There’s a lot left to be desired here and the toy easily scores average or below in every category. It was an interesting concept to fill in a perceived niche in the toy market but in hindsight I think many people would say that niche simply did not exist. As of the time I’m writing this the toy commands a pretty low price ranging from about $15 loose and abused to $80 for the Japanese version MIB. If you’ve got a Mospeada or Robotech New Generation display going these toys can certainly look good in the background (provided you don’t need more than a static pose) but if you’re looking for a cool Alpha/Legioss toy then don’t settle for these.
NOTE: This review has been updated
Original Posting date: May 22, 2006
